European Rocket Launches 2 Communications Satellites Into Orbit

A European rocket launched into space from a South American spaceport Thursday (Aug. 20) on a mission to deliver two new communications satellites into orbit for a pair of telecommunications giants.

The unmanned Ariane 5 rocket blasted off from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana at 4:34 p.m. EDT (2034 GMT), marking the seventh mission of the year for launch provider Arianespace. The rocket's dual payload included the EUTELSAT West B satellite for the Paris-based satellite operator EUTELSAT and the Intelsat 34 satellite for the Virginia-based firm Intelsat.

An Arianespace Ariane 5 rocket launches into space carrying the EUTELSAT 8 West B and Intelsat 34 satellites to orbit on Aug. 20, 2015 in a mission that lifted off from the Guiana Space Center in Kourou, French Guiana. It was the 67th consecutive success for Ariane 5 and the launcher’s 81st mission overall.

Credit: Arianespace

"Tonight, Arianespace is particularly proud to be in charge of a launch mission for the two first Ariane 5 commercial customers, also belonging to the top three private operators acting in the field of satellite communications," Stéphane Israël, Arianespace's CEO, said just before the launch. [Watch the Ariane 5 rocket launch two satellites into orbit]

The EUTELSAT 8 West B satellite, here undergoing a vibration test, was launched toward orbit by an Ariane 5 rocket on Aug. 20. The satellite will aid broadcasting over the Middle East and North Africa.

Credit: Thales Alenia Space

The EUTELSAT 8 West B rode on top and was deployed first. The satellite, weighing 12,800 lbs. (5,782 kilograms) at launch, will strengthen broadcast coverage to the Middle East and North Africa. It boasts 40 Ku-band transponders and 10 C-band transponders. EUTELSAT currently operates a fleet of 37 satellites.

The Intelsat 34 was transferred to the launch vehicle days before the Aug. 20 liftoff by an Ariane 5 rocket — the satellite could only be moved at night due to the hot temperatures in French Guiana, the launch site. The satellite will provide distribution services for Latin America and the North Atlantic.

Credit: ESA-CNES-ARIANESPACE/Optique Video du CSG – H Rouffie

Intelsat 34, the second communications satellite deployed, will increase television service over Latin America as well as provide North Atlantic maritime and aeronautical broadband access. The 7,280-lb. satellite (3,300 kg) is designed to replace the two older satellites Intelsat 805 and Galaxy 11. The new satellite is built to last for 15 years and carries 24 transponders. Intelsat currently has about 50 satellites in orbit, and the company's Intelsat 36 satellite is slated to launch next year aboard an Ariane 5 rocket.

Arianespace's 17-story Ariane 5 ECA rocket is built to deliver satellites into a geostationary transfer orbit. It can carry two satellites at a time and has a total payload capacity of up to 20,100 lbs. (9,100 kg).

Sarah started writing for Space.com in June of 2015. Her work has been featured by Scientific American, IEEE Spectrum, Quanta Magazine, Wired, The Scientist, Science Friday and WGBH's Inside NOVA. Sarah has an MA from NYU's Science, Health and Environmental Reporting Program and an AB in mathematics from Brown University. When not writing, reading or thinking about space, Sarah enjoys musical theatre and mathematical papercraft. You can follow her on Twitter @SarahExplains.